Jordan deny dropping Sato

Jordan Grand Prix have quashed a report which claimed the team had already dropped Japan’s Takuma Sato as one of their drivers for 2003.

Sato, who scored his maiden points with fifth place in the final race of last season in Japan, was not included along with Giancarlo Fisichella on the official list of drivers for 2003 which was published on Monday.

But Jordan today confirmed they are still talking to the former British F3 champion along with several other drivers.

“We have not dropped Takuma,” said a spokeswoman.

“We would love to keep him but, as everyone knows, there are commercial considerations. We are talking to a number of drivers.”

Brazil’s Enrique Bernoldi is favourite to land the drive because he can bring about £8m (€12.5m) sponsorship to the team who lost £15m (€23.5m) backing form Deutsche Post.

Bernoldi’s countryman Felipe Massa has also been in talks after being replaced at Sauber, while the duo of Irishman Eddie Irvine and Anthony Davidson have also been linked.

But Davidson admitted last week that he did not have the £2m (€3.1m) needed to get a drive at Minardi.